Having taken into consideration the acts of the French republic
relative to the United States, and the laws of Congress
passed at the last session, it is my opinion that there
exists not only an actual maritime war between France and
the United States, but a maritime war authorized by both
nations. Consequently, France is our enemy; and to aid,
assist, and abet that nation in her maritime warfare, will
be treason in a citizen or any other person within the
United States not commissioned under France. But in a
French subject, commissioned by France, acting openly according
to this commission, such assistance will be hostility.
The former may be tried and punished according to our
laws; the latter must be treated according to the laws
of war.

I have thought it my duty to make this communication
in consequence of the information you received from
Rhode Island, of the intentions of a Frenchman, whose
name I do not now call to mind, who is said to be somewhere
in this country, on the business of buying ships and
supplies of a military kind, for the West Indies. He should
be apprehended and tried as a traitor, unless he has a
commission, and acts according to it; in which case he
should be treated as an enemy, and confined as a prisoner
of war.